"Ho." Takashi took a deep breath.
His pupils watched the movement of Yasutake, from every twitch of his muscles to every moment of his hands and legs, nothing left his vision as he focused wholeheartedly.
Just as the heavy strike of Yasutake was about to land on him, Takashi twisted his katana and diverted the force in one smooth motion, then, using that momentum, attacked him right at his neck.
Yasutake, even though he acted like an animal, quickly took his right-hand katana and defended himself.
The two collided, and the sound of wood hitting wood sounded again.
After defending the strike, Yasutake quickly backed away with two flips and looked at Takashi with narrowed eyes.
[Spiritual Qi: 9] (-1)
Takashi also slightly squinted his eyes. He had used one htz of spiritual energy in that strike and even used his own momentum against him, but still, this guy was able to defend himself quite easily. He had to say that he had to praise this guy a lot for it.
'It will be troublesome, but I think I can handle it.' He used three spiritual qtz to imbue his katana and prepared for the incoming Yasutake again.
[Spiritual Qi: 6] (-3)
This time, as he countered the strong force, he was able to directly push him back almost out of the circle.
Takashi couldn't help but grin seeing this as he muttered:
"Come again."
This time, he used all of the remaining reserve of his spiritual energy. Six htz of spiritual Qi poured into his katana as he countered the man easily and struck back with equal force.
[Spiritual Qi: 0] (-6)
Bang!
Under the horrified eyes of Yasutake, his two wooden katanas broke apart the moment it met Takashi's katana, however even then the momentum didn't stop as it struck his head without mercy.
Ahhh—
Yasutake cried out loud in horror and fell to the ground, tumbling around, writhing from the pain.
The old man raised his hand and muttered with excitement in his tone:
"Yasutake defeated, Takashi won."
Everyone in the crowd was stunned on the spot. Some couldn't believe their eyes while some said, "Told you so." But none made much commotion because of the strict discipline.
Takashi sheathed the katana and turned back with a calm expression. Even though he did appear calm on the surface, he couldn't keep calm in his heart.
'That was scary,' he muttered in his heart. Although he did gain the experience of an expert, that didn't mean that he also gained the mindset for it.
The memories of Norman, who had never fought with a katana, and the memories of Takashi, who was a coward, both were not samurais in any right.
But now, Takashi has to adapt to this to escape from his own fate and protect his wife at the same time. He must do it, no matter what!
"Husband." Ishihara smiled. She walked up to him and spoke softly, "You really did become so strong."
"I am always strong," Takashi chuckled, extending his hand forward.
Ishihara tilted her head, confused.
"Come on, let's go," he said, answering her silent query.
"Okay." She blushed, then took his hand.
The moment their hands met, Takashi felt how soft and almost boneless hers was, like it melted into his.
Gently, he pulled her along, and together they walked away, hand in hand.
The crowd watched the two walk away, and some of the singles among them couldn't help but feel a little jealous.
"Damn, they really do make a perfect couple," someone murmured.
Yatsuke rose from the stage, a pained expression clouding his face.
"I told you, son, the ninth prince seems to have changed," The referee, the old man, standing nearby sighed. "Also, you should abandon that [Animal] Style already. Although powerful, you cannot even draw even a fraction of Spiritual Qi with it."
"Hmph." Yatsuke limped off, ignoring the old man's advice. "My [Animal] Style will become the greatest in the world."